If you make espresso regularly, compare bean-to-cup machines if you’re happy to pay more upfront and make room for a larger machine. Choose a portafilter machine if you want to have a hand in making every cup. Soft pods offer pre-measured coffee, while sticking with capsules makes sense if speed and a compact size matter most, provided you check which format is compatible. Que Choisir found that coffee per cup costs less with beans than with portions in its comparison, but that doesn’t guarantee a lower overall cost for every household.
If you regularly make several coffees, compare the machine price, the cost of portions or coffee per cup, and the maintenance it needs. Que Choisir distinguishes the cost of coffee from the total cost of the equipment.
If you want to choose your coffee and control how it’s made, compare the hands-on process of using a portafilter with an automatic grinder. These methods give you different levels of control.
If convenience and available space come first, consider the everyday steps involved, the machine’s dimensions and which consumables are compatible with your chosen machine.
If you’re replacing regular capsule coffee at home, compare the cost, level of control, everyday steps and maintenance before choosing a method.
Choose this if : you make espresso often and want to use beans without measuring out each cup by hand.
Bear in mind : the upfront cost and space required. Que Choisir found that coffee per cup costs less than portions in its comparison, but didn’t establish the total cost for every household.
Choose this if : you want to use ground coffee and be involved in making every cup.
Bear in mind : filling and cleaning the portafilter. If you’re starting with beans, you’ll also need to grind them separately.
Choose this if : you want pre-measured coffee with minimal handling.
Bear in mind : pods are an ongoing expense and must be compatible with your machine’s system.
Consider this if : speed and a compact format matter more than moving away from single-serve portions.
Bear in mind : capsules aren’t all interchangeable. Check the machine’s exact system and the ongoing cost of the portions.
| Criteria | What to check before you buy | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per coffee | Compare the machine price, the coffee or portions you’ll actually buy, and maintenance products, based on how many cups you make. | If I make several espressos a day, I want to know how the cost of consumables adds to the price of the machine. Around 33 % of consumers prioritise cost per coffee. |
| Taste and control | Decide whether you want to choose the coffee and adjust how it’s made, or let an automatic machine prepare your cup. | If I want to influence the coffee and how it’s made, I compare the steps involved with a portafilter and a grinder. Around 27 % of consumers prioritise taste and control. |
| Everyday steps | Count the steps involved in making a cup, then removing the coffee and cleaning the parts you’ve used. | When I’m short on time, I look for fewer steps per cup without forgetting about cleaning. Convenience comes first for around 20 % of consumers. |
| Space and maintenance | Measure the space available, allowing room to access the water tank and, for a portafilter machine, to handle the portafilter. Check the model’s maintenance instructions. | If my worktop space is limited, I also check the regular cleaning and descaling tasks. Space and maintenance are priorities for around 20 % of consumers. |
A cheaper machine can mean ongoing spending on portions. A more expensive grinder won’t automatically pay for itself in every household.
Work out the costs using your usual number of cups, the coffee you actually plan to buy and the maintenance required.
Soft pods, Nespresso Original capsules and ESE pods are designed for different systems.
Check the exact format your machine accepts and, for a portafilter machine, which filters are supplied before buying portions.
Even a narrow machine may need extra room to handle the portafilter. Cleaning and descaling requirements vary by model.
Measure the usable space and check the instructions for the exact model to find out what maintenance is involved.
The models featured here show two different approaches: the manual Dedica Style EC685.BK EX:4 portafilter machine and the automatic Magnifica S ECAM22.140.B bean-to-cup machine.
The SENSEO Original Plus CSA210/11 is an example of a machine that uses soft pods.
The Essenza Mini Crème Mat is a compact option for anyone who wants to stick with capsules.
The Sublime LM9012/50 is another capsule option, with formats designed for this range.
This selection features espresso machines with an integrated grinder, so you can make coffee from beans rather than capsules. It also includes models that combine several brewing methods.
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Worth considering if you want to make espresso from beans with an integrated grinder.
The model name includes Series 2200 and LatteGo.
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Worth considering if you want to move from portions to a machine with an integrated grinder.
The model name identifies it as a bean-to-cup machine. Check the features and maintenance requirements on the page for this variant.
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Worth considering if you regularly make coffee from beans and want an integrated grinder.
The model name identifies it as an automatic espresso machine with a grinder. Check the maintenance details for the variant you choose.
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Worth considering if you want a machine that makes both espresso and filter coffee, with an integrated grinder.
The title specifies that the milk frother is manual.
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Worth considering if you want to make coffee from beans and be involved in using the portafilter.
Cleaning the portafilter after use is one of the steps to factor in.
Compare the costs over the same period: the machine price, the number of cups you actually make, the cost of coffee or portions, and maintenance products. Que Choisir found that coffee per cup costs less with beans than with portions in its comparison, but the total depends on how you use the machine and the upfront cost.
No. Choose consumables specified for the exact machine you have. Que Choisir treats SENSEO-compatible soft pods and Nespresso-compatible capsules as separate categories. Nespresso states that the Essenza Mini Crème Mat uses the Original system only. The De’Longhi Dedica EC685.BK EX:4 product information separately lists a filter for ESE pods.
Follow the instructions for your model. Philips says that on the SENSEO Original Plus, when the one-cup and two-cup indicator lights flash at the same time, it’s time to descale. De’Longhi says that the descaling frequency for the Dedica depends on water hardness; don’t assume the same schedule applies to every machine.
The French Ministry of the Economy says that the statutory guarantee of conformity covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a professional to a private individual. You have two years to make a claim under this guarantee. It applies through the seller and should not be confused with an optional commercial warranty.